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Hunters are bipedal reptilian-like creatures with large claws and teeth, and are noted for their loud shriek. They are actually B.O.W.s (Bio Organic Weapons) designed by the Umbrella Corporation by combining a fertilized human ovum with reptilian (or in the case of the 'γ' model, amphibian) DNA and then implanting the t-Virus into the resulting creature.

Hunters are noted as being among the most successful of Umbrella's B.O.W. lines to date, as they were relatively easy to produce, possessed decent fighting capability, and were fairly reliable when programmed. This led to some branches of Umbrella attempting to create lines of B.O.W.s specifically to rival the success of the Hunter; the Anubis was an official attempt to challenge the success of the Hunters. Hunters will pursue their prey, running in a style similar to the Crimson Head. The weak point of a hunter's body is its head and chest area. It's back acts as a shield, protecting it from weak to semi weak weapons. Guns like the Samurai Edge, Shotgun, Assault Shotgun, Magnum, Grenade Launcher and Rocket Launcher will kill the hunter from its backside with ease. The standard 9mm Pistol is a weak weapon for the hunter, and is not recommended.

It should be noted that most hunters found within the Spencer Mansion are lurking in corners which aren't visible from some certain angles. Being equipped with a shotgun is recommended.

The original Hunters (or the "Alpha" models, as they've been retroactively coined) appeared in the original Resident Evil, when the player returns to the main mansion after exploring the dormitory thoroughly, replacing many of the zombies in the mansion. First-time players are normally taken surprise by the Hunters, with their agility and resistance to regular firearms (in contrast to the slow zombies). Moreover, a Hunter is capable of killing the player's character by decapitation (in the Game Cube remake of Resident Evil, the Hunters slit the throat of Jill or Chris instead of decapitating them). In Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, when the player plays as Carlos Oliveira, Hunters are introduced in the game as one is seen decapitating a zombie, which shows that the Hunters will even kill zombies that get in their way (this may explain why certain areas in the Spencer Mansion originally occupied by zombies, are taken over by Hunters, provided if the player has not eliminated these zombies).

Hunter is an obtainable diorama figure on ResidentEvil.net awarded as a random prize through using a Genesis Scratchcard.

"A combat B.O.W. with scale-like skin and long, razor-sharp claws, created by exploiting the t-Virus to cross reptilian and other DNA with a fertilized human ovum. Its appearance lies somewhere between that of a human and a reptile, although decidedly more terrifying. The aptly-named Hunter ruthlessly tracks down its target with its superior strength and incredible agility, and a number of variants were produced following successful mass production."

In the Sega Saturn version of Resident Evil, the Hunters are replaced with an exclusive B.O.W known as the Tick which instead of claws features two sickle like hands, a brown body two antennas and a new sound effect. The Ticks have never been seen in another Resident Evil game.

In the novelisations by S.D. Perry, the Licker was given an origin story as being created as a competitor to the Hunter line.

Although Hunters do not appear in Resident Evil 2, the corpse of a Hunter can be found in the underground Laboratory in the N64 version.

In Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, a Hunter is seen in Hulk's ending lying in the corner of the hall inside the mansion; presumably defeated by Hulk, who refers it as "frog creature".

In Resident Evil Code: Veronica, if the player enters the room with a spotter in it a cheat can be made by saving the game and returning to the room. The Hunter will still be there but no more spotters.

In Biohazard 3: Last Escape and the PAL version of RE3, the Hunter β that Carlos encounters in the hospital will slice the zombie's neck but won't be decapitated and even though there's a blood sound effect, blood won't come out.